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New York, NY-Tuesday, September 28th, the Manhattan School of Music Concert Jazz Band presents Rarities, a program of rarely performed large jazz ensemble music of Thelonious Monk and Gil Evans. The concert, conducted by MSM Dean of Jazz Arts, Justin DiCioccio, takes place in the Manhattan School of Music's John C. Borden Auditorium at 7:30 pm.

Before his renowned work with Miles Davis including The Birth of the Cool (1949/1950), Miles Ahead (1957) and Sketches of Spain (1960), arranger, composer and pianist Gil Evans arranged for the Claude Thornhill Orchestra from 1941 to 1948. While with Thornhill, Evans began experimenting with the group's unique instrumentation including french horn, tuba, bass clarinet and sometimes bassoon alongside a more conventional big band. This experience would prove pivotal-Evans's use of these unconventional instruments for jazz would help him define and officially introduce the new sound of "cool jazz" on Miles Davis's groundbreaking The Birth of the Cool, recorded in 1949 and 1950. DiCioccio's Concert Jazz Band presents Evans's arrangements for Thornhill's band in their original, large ensemble format, some of which, including "Moondreams," were never recorded. Evans recorded them only in nonet version for Miles Davis's The Birth of the Cool.

Thelonious Monk, best known for his harmonic complexity, unorthodox piano technique, and motivic approach to both composition and improvisation, was not primarily known for his work with a big band. Although Monk himself had dabbled in big band and "little big band" formats earlier in his career, Columbia Records hired saxophonist, arranger and composer Oliver Nelson to orchestrate several Monk compositions for the large jazz ensemble recording of Monk's Blues in 1968, one of the Thelonious Monk's last recording dates. DiCioccio has found hidden gems among these scores, including "Monk's Point," "Brilliant Corners," and "Reflections" to showcase the rarities of Monk's big band work for the September 28th concert.

About the Artists

Justin DiCioccio is internationally recognized as one of the foremost jazz educators of our time. This past May he traveled to Tbilsi, Georgia as a Cultural Jazz Ambassador, appointed by the State Department. His keen insight into teaching and his inventive approach have earned him the title "the musician's teacher." His many performances, guest conducting appearances, adjudications, jazz and percussion clinics, and workshops are widely recognized in the professional and educational fields.

In June 2002, Mr. DiCioccio was named Assistant Dean of Manhattan School of Music, where he has chaired the Jazz Arts Program since 1999 and has been a member of the jazz faculty, teaching percussion and coaching ensembles, since 1984. Under his leadership, the jazz curriculum has been completely restructured, including the creation of a new jazz D.M.A. program. His goal is to put into action the concept of the complete artist-musician-performer, composer, and pedagogue-as well as to create working partnerships with public schools, community organizations, institutions, and the music industry. Mr. DiCioccio directs international jazz programs, in partnership with Manhattan School of Music, that take place in Amsterdam, Holland. He also works actively in Manhattan School of Music's educational outreach program, bringing jazz education to hundreds of New York City public schoolchildren and initiated the addition of a jazz component to the School's Precollege Division, open to students ages 10 to 18, making Manhattan School of Music one of the few institutions in the country to offer jazz programs at the elementary, secondary, undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels.

Mr. DiCioccio has served as program director and clinician for Carnegie Hall Jazz Education. Under his direction, the Manhattan School of Music Jazz Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall as part of its Family Concert Series. He acts as a consultant to Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis, with whom he also performs and gives clinics. He designed, developed, and directed the internationally known and award-winning LaGuardia High School of the Arts jazz program, the first fully accredited secondary jazz program in the United States.

Mr. DiCioccio is the recipient of a citation from the mayor of New York for "Distinguished and Exceptional Service to Young Instrumentalists" and is currently active with the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Music for Youth Foundation, and the National Foundation for Jazz Education. He is a three-time recipient of the Presidential Scholars teaching recognition award in the jazz field by the U.S. Department of Education. In May 1998, the Commission Project, in partnership with the New York City Board of Education, created the JD Award for Outstanding Service to Music in New York City Schools. The award, presented annually, recognizes and celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the world of music education and named Mr. DiCioccio as its first honoree. His other achievements include induction into the Jazz Education Hall of Fame, an Achievement Award from DownBeat magazine, named to the Buffalo, New York Music Hall of Fame, and the Presidential Medal for Distinguished Faculty Service at Manhattan School of Music.

Mr. DiCioccio's performing and conducting credentials include concerts, commercials, Broadway shows, and recordings with jazz, orchestral, rock, and new music groups. He has toured and performed with Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Chuck Mangione, Phil Woods, Stan Getz, Red Rodney, and Clark Terry. Mr. DiCioccio is a former member of the Rochester Philharmonic and for five years was a member of the Marine Band "The President's Own," in which he served as the official White House drummer during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.

The Jazz Arts Program

Manhattan School of Music is one of the first conservatories in the United States to acknowledge the importance of jazz as an art form by establishing undergraduate and graduate degree programs in jazz. It is also one of the richest programs of its kind, thanks to systematic and rigorous conservatory training combined with a myriad of performance and networking opportunities in New York City. In addition to a variety of small combos, student ensembles include the Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Philharmonic, and Chamber Jazz Orchestra. Under the leadership of longtime faculty member and eminent jazz artist-and-educator Justin DiCioccio, the program strives to produce students who perform, compose, and teach with equal facility and passion.

Tickets
$10 Adults; $5 seniors and students; by phone: 917.493.4428; or visit www.msmnyc.edu. For a complete calendar of concerts and events, visit the Manhattan School of Music website at www.msmnyc.edu. Manhattan School of Music is located at the northwest corner of 122nd Street and Broadway, and is accessible by public transportation. Several MTA bus lines stop within two blocks at Broadway and 122nd Street: the M5 arrives at Riverside Drive, the M4 and M104 arrive at Broadway, and the M60 and M11 arrive at Amsterdam Avenue. From the 116th Street stop the No. 1 subway line. If arriving via Metro North, stop at Harlem-125th Street and board the M60 bus from any subway line with a 125th stop. The Manhattan School of Music Concert Office is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and one hour before curtain for ticketed events. For a recorded, up-to-date concert schedule, call the Concert Line at 917-493-4428.
Program